Job 9:14-21

14 “How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him?

15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.

16 Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing.

17 He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason.

18 He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery.

19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him^[a] ?

20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.

21 “Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.

Job 9:14-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 9

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to Bildad, and in this he asserts the strict justice at God; which is such, that no man can be just in his sight, not being able to answer to one charge, or for one sin, of a thousand he is guilty of, Job 9:1-3; and that such are his wisdom and power, that the most daring man cannot expect to succeed in an opposition to him, Job 9:4; instances are given of his power in the works of nature and providence, Job 9:5-10; notice is taken of the imperceptibleness of his actions and motions, and of his sovereignty in all his ways, Job 9:11,12; and of his fierce wrath and anger, which is such as obliges the proudest of men to stoop under him; and therefore Job chose not to contend in a judicial way with him, but in a suppliant manner would entreat him, since his hand was so heavy upon him, Job 9:13-21; he affirms, in direct opposition to Bildad and his friends, and insists upon it, that God afflicts both the righteous and the wicked; yea, gives the earth to the latter when he slays the former, Job 9:22-24; he then observes the shortness of his days, and complains of his heavy afflictions, Job 9:25-28; and concludes, that it was in vain for him to expect his cause to be heard before God, there being no daysman between them; and wishes that the dread of the Divine Majesty might be taken from him, and then he would freely and without fear speak unto him, Job 9:29-35.

Cross References

• 1. S ver 3
• 2. Job 10:15; Job 13:19; Job 34:5-6; Job 40:5; Job 42:7
• 3. Job 8:5
• 4. S Genesis 18:25; 1 Samuel 24:12; Psalms 50:6; Psalms 96:13
• 5. ver 20,29; Job 15:6; Job 23:4; Job 40:2
• 6. Job 13:22; Romans 9:20-21
• 7. Job 16:12; Job 30:16; Psalms 10:10; Isaiah 38:13
• 8. Job 30:22; Psalms 83:15; John 1:4
• 9. Job 16:14
• 10. S Job 2:3
• 11. S Job 7:19; S Job 10:1; Job 27:2
• 12. S ver 4; S Nehemiah 9:32
• 13. ver 33; Jeremiah 49:19
• 14. S ver 15
• 15. S Genesis 6:9; Job 34:6,7; Job 1:1
• 16. ver 14; S Job 6:29; Job 10:1; Job 13:13
• 17. S Numbers 11:15; S Job 7:16

Footnotes

• [a] See Septuagint; Hebrew "me."